The Ultimate Fishing Guide for Beginners

There’s a lot more to the intricacies of fishing than this once you become ‘hooked’ on this enthralling pastime, but basically, if you can sit on the side of the water and hold a fishing pole, you can fish. It’s a hobby in which pretty much all the family from young children to senior citizens can become involved and love it!

Fishing leaves you at peace with yourself, but you can also have a lot of fun sharing your hobby with family and friends.

Freshwater fishing will take you to streams, rivers and lakes in search of the great variety of fish that there are – all of them a different challenge to fish. Take the kids along too – they’ll love it!

But first, don’t invite trouble. Check out your State’s fishing legislation and ensure that you have any licenses that are necessary. Any sporting goods mall/store will definitely guide you, telling you how to get it, where to get the necessary permits, and some of these stores will even provide them.

Take some time in the sporting goods mall/store to make sure you have the best and suitable fishing equipment. You don’t need anything flashy; certainly to begin with the basic fishing equipment will do. Keep your budget in mind at all times, but ask the advice of the staff in the specialist fishing department.

A cheap fishing rod and reel with a fishing line, weights, hooks, a bobber, net and fishing lures to land your fish are all you need, together with perhaps a pair of polarized sunglasses to make it easier to spot the fish in the water, especially difficult in sunny conditions.

Ask the staff in the store for the best places to fish in your local area; they’ll be glad to help as many of these staffs are huge fishing enthusiasts. When you’re ready to branch out and learn a bit more, you could always read the rest of these articles! You’ll find out a lot about seeking out the best rods, reels and lures as well as choosing the right fishing for you; then you’ll be all set to go through the advice on fishing for some of the world’s most prized fish in some of the world’s most popular and beautiful fishing locations.

It’s a good idea to begin your fishing adventures in shallow waters. Cast towards deep areas, because that is where the fish, being both timid and wily, are more likely to hide. As you become more proficient at fishing you could then try to fish the deeper waters.

Fishing is not something to be rushed. You can even practice casting in your backyard to improve your accuracy. Remember that you want to always cast in front of a fish so that it will be tempted to take the bait.

Fishing Equipment

Finding the Right Rod and Reel for your Fishing

Fishing might for many be about communing with nature and grabbing a few hours of peace from a hectic life and a nagging spouse, but without the right fishing equipment, it can become a pretty soul-destroying and monotonous experience. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you get the right rod and reel for your needs. You’ll be surprised how much more fish you can catch with the right rod and reel.

Fishing Rods

The fishing rod is the most important part of your fishing equipment. You don’t need to get anything fancy at first; a basic fishing rod will do for beginners. The important thing is to have a bit of fun with your fishing when you just start out; get a feel for the fishing rod in your hands, When you are comfortable with handling the basic fishing rod, you can move on to more advanced fishing rods with extra features.

There are several types of rods available made of different materials like wood, fiberglass and carbon fiber. You should probably visit a good fishing store, staffed by experts and try out each of these, seeing how they feel in your hands and when you practice casting. This is how you find out how easy it is to use each of the fishing rods and how flexible each of them is.

Fishing rods come in several different lengths. Which length you should choose to buy depends upon what fish you want to catch and what bait you will use. For small fish, attracted by small bait, a rod of between four and six feet is adequate, but if you want to try for larger fish, which will mean you have t cast further away, you will need a rod of more than six feet in length.

Fishing Reels

The use of fishing reels has been documented for centuries, certainly as far back as the seventeenth century, but perhaps as early as the twelve century in China. But they were not used for anything more than to store unused line until the eighteenth century. Now there are different types of fishing reel, made from materials such as brass and nickel.

When you’re looking for the right fishing reel for your purposes, you have to bear in mind where you will be fishing with it. Fishing reels designed for river or stream fishing are very different to those designed for sports fishing on the open sea.

You may also want to get yourself a fishing rod holder to really relax with your fishing.

Fishing Rod Holders

The fishing rod holder allows you to free up both hands; you will need to do this to properly set up your line, hook, and lure. Fish rod holders will provide a strap to secure your fishing rod to a railing, but they can also have a Velcro strap which allows you to strap the fishing rod to your wrist or waist. These are great for sports fishing, making it less likely that the big ones will be able to snatch your rod away from you and swim away with it. Some even come complete with acupressure stimulators to help to fend off sea sickness!

Choosing the Right Fishing Line

Fishing isn’t always easy; sometimes it can be a waiting game whether you choose to fish a lake, stream, river or ocean. You certainly need the patience to make a success of fishing, but you also need to be ready to leap into action and land that fish when it finally bites onto your line. To land your fish, you need more than a bit of patience and a state-specific fishing license. These are must-have, but you need more if you are going to bring home dinner or bag that prize trophy fish for your wall.

Getting good quality fishing equipment is essential. It can make the difference between success and failure in your fishing; that goes for the fishing line that you use as much as it does for the rod, bait and lure, but very often, unless you are a very experienced angler and have learned the hard way that your fishing line matters a great deal, fishing lines can be sorely neglected in the putting together of your fishing kit. Getting the wrong type of fishing line for the fish you want to land can result in ‘the one that got away’ or at the very least annoying tangles on your fishing line.

Basically, there are four types of fishing line available to buy: monofilament, braided, fused and fluorocarbon.

This is the most popular type of fishing line and has been in use for years. It is a great type of fishing line for all sorts of circumstances and conditions for fishing. One disadvantage of monofilament fishing line needs to be taken into consideration when storing your fishing equipment; that is that if it is stored for a long time, it tends to take on the shape in which it has been stored. This means it won’t easily straighten out again to allow you to use it easily for fishing if you have not fished with it for a while; therefore, if you use monofilament fishing line and you do not fish often, you would be well advised to replace this type of fishing line when you want to use it again if it has been left in one shape for a long time.

As you might expect, braided fishing lines are the strongest of all the types of fishing line available. They don’t stretch and they float in the water. The strength of braided fishing lines can also be a disadvantage as although they are strong, the braided nature of the fishing line can make it quite abrasive on your hands and also your rod and the guides on your rod. This means you have to have a durable fishing rod and reel to cope with braided fishing line.

Fused

It probably won‘t be a surprise to you that fused fishing lines are similar to braided fishing lines. They are very strong too and basically the difference between the two is that fused fishing lines have their threads glued together in their manufacturing and they then are surrounded by another coating to strengthen it further, rather than simply being woven together as is the case in braided fishing lines. This means that fused fishing lines have some disadvantages in common with a braided fishing line: they are difficult to cut except with scissors or a sharp knife so that you would need to ensure that your fishing kit includes something with which to cut the fishing line. It also slides around a little on the reel spool. You should also be aware that both braided and fused fishing lines are thicker and, therefore, more easily visible to the fish – so they get advanced warning of your intentions!

Fluorocarbon fishing lines are invisible to the fish and do not have the problems of retaining their shape which older types of a fishing line have; they are therefore the most popular type of fishing line in the modern world of fishing today.

Which Fishing Lure Should You Choose?

Lures do exactly what the name suggests; they lure the fish to bite the hook. There are several different types of fishing lure, which can be either bought or home-made. Whatever type of fish you are hoping to catch, or wherever you are hoping to fish, in fresh water or salt water, you will need to use fishing lures to entice fish onto your hook.

Let’s have a look at the different types of fishing lure.

Spoons

As you might expect, these simplest of all lures look like spoons. The flicker and wobble in the water, which attracts the fish. Because spoons are easy to use and cheap to buy, they make the ideal fishing lure for the beginner at angling.

Spinners

I’m sure it will be no surprise to you that these fishing lures spin in the water. They are made of a blade mounted on a spindle. When the spinner spins, light is reflected back off it and they actually look like the light glinting off fish scales in the water. The speed of the spinning of the blade can be altered, making it a very versatile fishing lure. For trout and mullet, try a small spinner; for larger fish like pike, a larger spinner is to be recommended.

Surface lures

Unlike other fishing lures, surface lures are used on the surface of the water. These surface fishing lures add a bit of a thrill to fishing as you can clearly see the fish take the lure. Surface lures are particularly useful in waters with a lot of weeds, where other types of lure could get lost in the weeds.

Suspending plugs

These fishing lures are great – magic, almost! These suspending plugs will stay at exactly the depth they are dropped too. This makes suspending plugs the perfect fishing lure to attract fish hidden under weeds or rocks are close to the banks. Yanking on the suspending plugs to simulate the fishing lure being a live prey is sure to bring the fish out from their hiding places.

Floating drivers

Floating drivers are another versatile fishing lure which can be used at different depths of water.

Sinking plugs

Sinking plugs are great for fishing deep waters. You can estimate the depth to which the fishing lure has sunk by counting down as you pull the lure back in on your fishing line.

Soft baits

Soft baits come in all different shapes, colors and sizes. They are usually made of soft rubber so that they can be easily shaped. These are useful for both ocean and fresh water fishing. Basically, you use them in the same way as you would use jerk baits.

Jerk baits

Jerk baits may seem a strange name for this fishing lure which does not move on its own. It’s left to the fisherman or –woman to provide the movement of this fishing lure. Basically, when the angler jerks it, this fishing lure mimics a wounded fish which will tempt predatory fish to take a bite of it.

If you want to know which fishing lure you need according to where you want to fish and what you want to fish for, then you should consult an expert at your local angling store or a fishing guide local to an area which you want to fish.

Fishing Boat

What is the Right Fishing Boat for You?

There are so many different types of fishing boat, from a canoe to a cabin cruiser or even a yacht and countless variations in between. Really all you need is for your fishing boat to be water tight, but let’s see if we can help you through the sometimes baffling array of fishing boats on offer at boat shows, fishing shows or dealerships.

Freshwater Fishing Boats

For freshwater lakes, streams and rivers, you should forget buying a big, powerful boat. A light-weight fiberglass or aluminum boat is what is needed. It will be easy to transport too, which is important, as you have to get it to the water in the first place – many people forget that. Freshwater fishing boats can be bowriders, walleye boats or dual consoles. Any of these will be perfect for a family day out on the river or lake.

Bass Boats

Bass boats are very fast and are designed to run very low in the water. Usually, bass boats are used for sport or tournament fishing. They are also usually colorful, but can be made from either aluminum or fiberglass. Usually, the bow and stern are equipped with platforms which are great for making your casting much easier. A perfect addition to a bass boat is a trolling motor at the bow.

Offshore Saltwater Boats

If a day on the open ocean is your idea of heaven, you will be looking to hook in heavy, large fish and you need a fishing boat that can cope with that. You need a boat that can cope with bad weather and rough water too. The bare minimum you should look for in an offshore saltwater boat is a cuddy cabin or a central console with either twin or single outboard motors. If you have a bit of money to spend, go for a blue water or convertible; they are the ultimate luxury in fishing boats. Offshore saltwater boats need inboard diesel engines to give you the greatest power.

Inshore Saltwater Boats

Think the Florida Keys; think tropical flats; think tarpon, bonefish, and snook. You’ll need a light-weight boat, less than twenty-five feet in length, with a single outboard motor. Your best bet for inshore saltwater fishing is a bay boat or flat boat. Both of these options float well in the shallows and provide a large deck for casting.

Float Tubes

If you haven’t got a boat, fly fishers can get out onto the water with float tubes. They are great for lakes and streams, even high up in the mountains. Flotation tubes are pretty basic – little more than a flotation tube with a seat. To fish, you sit in the seat, kicking your way around with flippers whilst you are partially submerged in the water. There is quite an art to fly fishing from one of these float tubes, but the pontoon type, which is newer, is easier to maneuver than the traditional version. Pontoon float tubes offer less drag in the water and so are easier to move.

The best thing to do when buying a fishing boat is to have a chat to other fishermen and –women who fish the same sort of waters of you and see what advice they can offer; see what sort of fishing boat that they use because then you will know what works.

What to Look For When Buying a Fishing Boat?

If you know what you’re looking for, a great way to get a bargain on a fishing boat is to visit a boat sale. You don’t have to, of course – you can go straight to a boat dealer or you can get another second-hand boat via an advert in a boating magazine or on the internet; but whichever option you choose, you will need to keep a few things in mind if you are to get the right boat for you. Buying fishing boats can turn into a hobby all by itself as you sell and buy another time and time again in search of the perfect fishing vessel. If you have a fishing boat to sell, you can often get some good part exchange deals on your next fishing boat.

First, you need to think what type of boat you will need; that will be dictated by where you want to fish and what fish you want to catch. If you are going to fish the ocean or large lakes and fast-moving rivers, you will need to get a fishing boat that is over 19 feet long for added stability, but this will be unwieldy in smaller bodies of water. Look for a speed of twenty to thirty miles per hour; if you’re setting out for deep sea fishing you don’t want to spend all day getting there do you!

You will need to choose between fishing boats made of aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum is cheaper and more forgiving of bangs and scrapes – which is great if you’ve never tried to maneuver a boat before. The downside is that aluminum doesn’t smooth out any movement so things can get a little rough when the wind gets up. Fiberglass can handle rougher water more comfortably, but its a lot more expensive to buy a fiberglass boat. Between $20,000 and $50,000 is normal, but if you go fishing a lot, you can actually save yourself a lot of money on fishing charters by buying your own boat.

There are a few other things you need to consider when buying a fishing boat. You need to think about whether you will use your fishing boat during the day or at night. Night time fishing will necessitate lights and a boat with a hull would be best for night fishing and ocean fishing.

Make sure that any fishing boat that you choose to buy has a warranty. Of course, all warranties are different so you need to be very careful to read the fine print. You should remember, though, that a fishing boat bought new from a dealer will give you added protection if any part of your boat is found to be defective. You should make sure that your fishing boat is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) as having passed their standard of excellence.

The bottom line is that when you are looking for a new fishing boat, you need to look at the fine print of any agreements as closely as you would scrutinize the boat to ensure that it meets your needs for your fishing, wherever you want to do it and whatever you are hoping to catch.

Fishing Tips

Useful Tips on Trout Fishing

Trout are amongst the most popular fish to be fished for by most anglers. They are considered quite crafty and are found just about everywhere. Brook trout can be found from the Labrador Territory all the way west to Saskatchewan. On the other hand, rainbow trout inhabits a wide area from the Pacific from Alaska right to California.

If you live just about anywhere in the Continental United States, barring a few states, then you can probably find brown trout in your area. Trout are also to found in many parts of Canada. Just because it’s commonly found, though, doesn’t mean it isn’t a great fish to fish for; it provides great sport, tastes great and will make a fantastic trophy. Whether you want to keep it, eat it or let it go after snapping yourself a photo, trout are a good fish to aim for.

When it comes to the catching of trout, there are a couple of things to consider if you want a really successful day’s catch. First off, do not bother to grease the leader as it won’t need to sink far to get those trout. The key thing you are trying to avoid is creating a shadow on the bed of the stream with a floating leader as that will probably frighten the trout away. They are skittish creatures and brighter than many fish.

Next, you want to keep in mind that trout is one kind of fish that you usually catch using a dry fly. Also, cast in to the current as well as over the pools. Yes, it can be hard keeping the fly from being tossed around too much with the current,; however, an experienced angler can soon figure out how best to do it.

Along the same lines as not wanting to cast a shadow, you do not want to cast your line directly upstream. If you do that, the fly, the line, and the leader will end up floating directly over the trout. And, just like the shadow, you are going to scare the fish away. So, cast from the shore; doing that will make sure that you only get the fly above the fish.

If you see that the trout are rising in the middle or upper end of the pool, make your first cast to the lower end. You want that first cast to be your best. The reason is simple; a trout is much more likely to strike at the first presentation of a lure if it is feeding, especially if it goes right over his main territory which it will want to guard over like a jealous squire.

Finally, remember that trout can be fickle and moody. Sometimes it seems they are bound and determined to try your patience. When that happens, keep cool, and just switch to another fly: something like a spent-wing or perhaps a fan wing. The point is, sometimes just giving the trout something else to choose from is all it takes to get a strike.

Basic Carp Fishing Pointers

So, you want to go fishing for carp. Well, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. First off, you need to know that carp can be quite suspicious fish. Very often they will take some bait, and then promptly spit it right back out. But, when they finally take what you have to offer, you will feel such excitement. That first hit usually takes place in a fraction of a second, and then you set the hook and reel away!

Carp love to eat up near the surface, just so long as the food keeps coming. So, what you want to do is have plenty of things like bait pellets, biscuits, chic peas, bread, and re-hydrated corn on hand. All of these baits are very inexpensive, so a ready supply is easy to have around. Bread is the best thing of all to bait your hook with. If you want to use biscuits, it is best to soften them first. Just dip them in water for around two minutes, and then slip them in a zip-lock sandwich bag for about an hour. You want the biscuits firm enough so that they hold onto the hook when you cast. So, just do a little trial and error experimenting until you hit on the perfect “formula.”

After you toss some food in, let them get feeding so that they feel comfortable around the bait. Don’t rush things, once they are no longer so picky about what they eat, you will have more chances of getting a strike. If you use a zig rig, this is the perfect plan of attack. Once the carp are feeding, that is when you cast your line. But, be careful; do not drop your bait right on one of the carp as it is feeding. You will only scare them off. Instead, cast your line away from them, and then slowly pulling it into the feeding area. Also, be sure you still keep that free food coming. Almost as with sharks, it will get the carp into a bit of a “feeding frenzy” and increase your chances of a bite.

Now, then there is the matter of how to set things up. First, a hair rig is best to increase your chance of a catch. Also, using Spider Line, fifty-pound test, and a leader material is good. With the leader, pick a material that fits your particular situation, they can vary. A float can help as it adds weight, which makes it easier to cast the line further, and it helps to identify the spot where the hook is.

As any good fisherman will tell you, how you present the bait to the fish is more important than what kind of bait you use. An excellent way to prepare the area is by pre-baiting. Visit the same spot every day for several days and feed the carp. Eventually, they will see that area as a ready source of food, and soon there will be great schools of fish swarming there.

Catfishing the Right But Simple Way

Going out to fish for catfish is not difficult, but there is a right way of doing it. If you follow a few simple steps, you can be assured of a fine catch, every time. Now, keep in mind that the specific method you use will have to be a slight variation of these; every location is a bit different. Still, these techniques will at least give you a good starting point.

To rig your bait, loop a treble hook or bait holder from a line your preferred length: eighteen to twenty-four inches is best. Now, unlike some fishing, you do not want any movement of the bait. So, the best solution is to weight the rig so that it is kept still. You can also use a slip weight to keep the bait from moving. The kind of weight you use is not all that important, but it must slide on the line. The critical thing is that the fish should not feel any weight and thus guess this is not a real, natural food.

Next, there is the type of bait to be considered. Chicken liver is good, as is shrimp, which you can generally pick up at any grocery store. You will want to remove the shrimp’s skin and tail and just leave enough of a body so that it can go over a number six hook. Chicken liver is a bit more difficult to use, as you will need some pantyhose. Tear off a bit of liver; wrap it in pantyhose; leave a small tag out when you put it on the hook. Among other good choices for bait are minnows, blood worms, night crawlers, snails, small fish, and even dough baits or catfish paste. A good tip to remember is this: nature makes the most appetizing baits.

To increase your day’s catch, chumming helps. This is really quite simple and amounts to just throwing small balls of catfish food into the water. Eventually, the catfish will be attracted to the area. Where the real trick comes in is in figuring out just the right mixture to use. That comes with experience and maybe consulting with local fishermen. Then just bait your hook with the same stuff and the catfish will be lining up to be caught.

Another item to consider is your tackle. Yes, technique is most important, but you also need the right equipment to land the catfish once it strikes. So, a firm six feet long pole with a spinning reel is best. Just make sure you have a secure grip on the rod. Next, there is the line. Select a heavy one so you can have more of a battle between you and the fish, without risk of the line breaking just before you land it. And, do not think that means buying the most expensive equipment. Look for sales, or even buy modest gear.

And then, here are some general pointers to always keep in mind: remove hooks with pliers; to be sure you get it all out. Watch out for the fins as they may be poisonous. If you slip you hand up to the fish’s belly from the tail, you can wrap your fingers around the fish and unhook the catfish without hurting yourself.

Pike Fishing – Get it Right

When you are fishing for pike – in fact, when you are fishing for anything – you first and foremost need to find out the regulations which govern the area in which you wish to fish. You really don’t want to spoil your fishing fun by falling foul of the law. It may also be that there are rules governing the fishing for certain species such as pike, but you can easily find this out by contacting the local fishing authorities.

You will also find out details of the seasons in which it is legal to go fishing for pike, too. If you are an amateur at fishing, you may not have thought of that particular restriction; there may also be regulations over how many pikes can be caught – and what size of fish, as well as the areas in which you may fish.

You really need a little-specialized tackle to fish for pike. They are big, strong, predatory fish and man do they bite! However, don’t worry; you may well already have some of the fishing equipment that you need. One absolute basic requirement of pike fishing is a wire trace. Without it, your pike may well bite clean through your line and swim away into the sunset. Go for the stronger types with the main line of fifteen pounds or more and a trace wire of at least thirty pounds. Hooks need to be barbed and can be doubles or trebles. Remember when you are removing these hooks from the pike’s mouth that this will be a lot easier if you crush the barbs first.

A good pike fishing rod has a test curve of more than two and a half pounds for bait fishing and if you are going lure fishing for pike, you need a fishing rod that will cast two ounces or more. Your reel has to be pretty strong too as pike rarely give up without quite a fight. Of course, with all this great gear, you need a landing net big enough to hold your pike. For other requirements for effective pike fishing, you would so well to contact your local sports shop which has a specialist fishing section. The staff there will be glad to talk you through their relevant stock. But when you go shopping for pike fishing equipment, you need always to keep in mind your budget and don’t be tempted to go too far over it in buying equipment; it’s really not necessary, even for pike fishing and if you are worried about how much money you spent and whether or not you could really afford that extravagance, you will really not enjoy your fishing and that is a shame as it means you will miss out on an awful lot of fun.

Pike bait is certainly one way in which you can save money on pike fishing; the pike’s normal food if live fish so it makes sense that this would provide you with good pike fishing bait. Any small fish will do – anything under twenty centimeters. Yes, I know you might be thinking that is ‘small’ – but pike themselves are pretty big!

Fishing for Walleye

Walleyes are creatures of habit and of structure. That will help you catch them so embrace it as a good thing. Even in The Great Lakes, walleyes will hug tight to the bottom of the lake, in the deep, dark holes there. Perhaps they’re photophobic; perhaps they’re waiting in ambush for an easy meal to swim by. What that means for your walleye fishing is that you have to be in the right place at the right time to catch them – or more correctly, you have to pre-empt their movements.

That means that you have to know your walleye pretty well. Even subtle changes in water temperature, oxygen, bottom structure and shadows on the water can all affect where you need to seek out your walleye.

Transitional zones are a good place to start to look for fish. That can be changed in the composition of the bottom, the depth of the water, water color etc, but the most significant transition when it comes to looking for fish is in the types if weeds that you would find in the water. Knowing your weeds is the key to walleye fishing success.

Many fishermen and –women are preoccupied with thoughts of rocks, sand, drop-offs to deep water when it comes to walleye fishing. But walleye anglers need to really have a good poke around in the weeds, especially during the fall months. Also what is great to know when you are looking for walleye to fish is that they often go to the weeds to search for food, so the bait on your line is likely to look even more yummy!

But in what type of weeds are the walleye most likely to hide? Coontail will hold a few fish but cabbage weed is great as a favored habitat of walleye. Thankfully, you’ll find cabbage weed on many bodies of water and it’s also a great habitat in which to find bass, northerns, muskies and panfish. For walleye, look particularly at the weeds on the edges of a drop-off where the weed beds extend into the shallow water.

You need to be cautious as most fish, walleye included are wary. That’s how they’ve survived as long as they have! They have superb sight and hearing, and can detect movement with their lateral line with disturbing accuracy. As if all that wasn’t enough, they have a great sense of smell. Anglers – proceed with caution!

You’ve got to make your bait look as natural as possible and just what the fish would normally eat, in placement as well as appearance. Hunger may motivate them to bite, but so will the threat from what they see as a predator.

Backtrolling is, therefore, great because it allows you to present your bait right in front of the walleye’s nose, essential in cold front conditions. Slow down the bait with a 15 H.P. Mercury and back into the wind along current breaks so that the walleye has plenty of chances to see it and to strike for it.

Vertical jigging is very useful when fishing for walleye so it is vital you control your boat well for this. Drifting with a drift sock and using your boat’s engine to slow down your drift is also good for walleye fishing.

Drifting and backtrolling are the best ways to fish for walleyes on large shallow flats.

Tips to Improve Your Salmon Fishing

All over the world, salmon is a prized catch amongst anglers from amateurs to prize-winning pros. And that’s with plenty of reasons. Salmon, even if it’s not the famous King Salmon of Canada and Alaska, is a beautiful fish which will give you a great battle, often leaping right out of the water and struggling around on your fishing line for twenty minutes or so before you can master it and bring it home. Salmon is a wily adversary in the water so if you want to stand the most chance of getting the better of it, you had better do your homework beforehand.

The best time of day to catch salmon is when the light is low or on cloudy days. Salmon don’t seem to like bright conditions and they will hide away from it in deep holes on the river bed where it is much darker.

What is important for you to appreciate in salmon fishing is that salmon don’t eat while they are in the river. When they do take your bait, it is due to an instinctive behavior. Before they reach the river, in the lakes, they are predatory and aggressive.

It is important to set your hook well for salmon fishing. You should do this by yanking your rod downstream three times. Try not to lift your fishing pole straight up out of the water as this can often tear the fly straight out of the salmon’s mouth. Their jaws are pretty tough and so if you want to hook in a salmon, you need to make sure your fishing hooks are thoroughly sharpened for the salmon fishing expedition.

A good tip for salmon fishing is to fish with a partner; that way you can both look out for those salmon. A good way to do this is while one of you is fishing, get a friend to stand on the river bank watching how the salmon react and where they go. You will find polarized sunglasses are very helpful in minimizing the glare of the sun on the water.

If you can find (perhaps with the aid of your watcher on the shore!) a good fishing hole where the salmon hide out, you can stay there and fish all day! Your weight and the tippet length should be adjusted to the hole in which the fish are hiding. Make sure the weight does not pull on your fishing line; it should only touch the bottom occasionally.

Chuck-n-duck is the most usual method of fly-fishing for salmon. You can use a variety of line formulas for chuck-n-duck fly fishing for salmon.

The Lowdown on the History of Bass Fishing

Many people may not be aware of this, but bass fishing actually has quite the interesting history. It has its origins in the late 18th century and was probably originally used in the search for food, among the peoples living in the southern area of the United States. Ever since, it has slowly gained followers of all ages and many nations. Today, in countries as far flung as Australia, Cuba, South Africa, the United States and most of Europe, there are people who take part in bass fishing.

Way back in the late eighteenth century, some estimate it was right around 1769, plus or minus a year, was the birth of modern bass fishing. It was at that time that Onesimus Ustonson developed and introduced the multiplying reels that he had invented. Those people who enjoyed fishing latched onto the new reels. Later they evolved into the bait caster. A little over a century later, a Mr. William Shakespeare Jr. (no relation to the playwright!) creates a level wind device for fishing and is granted a patent for it in 1897. Less than twenty years later, in 1915, the William J. Jamison Company began production of the Shannon Twin Spinner. It was a bit overly ornamental, but still an excellent reel. And, it eventually led to the creation of our modern spinner bait reels.

The next major step in bass fishing had nothing to do with inventing, and everything to do with politics and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. A rather large portion of the Appellations was poor and very rural, lacking even the most basic of necessities. One of Roosevelt’s programs was the creation, in 1932, of Tennessee Valley Authority. Its function was to provide electricity for vast areas of the Appellations. To that end, they built numerous dams for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. As a result, numerous lakes were created. Later, those same lakes were used for the culturing of many varieties of bass fish.

Then, in 1937, the DuPont Company filed for a patent on a new type of fishing net they had created out of nylon. Later, it was realized, the material was perfect for use as a monofilament fishing line. From there, the sport only continued to grow. The 1950’s saw what many consider to be bass fishing’s most robust period of success. It was from this time that most of the modern fishing equipment developed. With bass fishing enjoying such popularity, it was easy for firms to invest in research and development. The results were such items as bass boats, rods, lines, lures and other types of fishing equipment. Eventually, electronic gears were incorporated into the reels. Also, different types of reels with specific functions, such as hoisting and hauling, were developed.

Then, in 1992, bass fishing hit a new high. In that year, the famous fisherman Larry Nixon won a total of one million dollars for the sport! The bass industry has continued to grow and improve over the years. Today, it contributes fifty to seventy billion dollars annual to the U.S. economy, and those numbers are projected to continue to grow. Based on an analysis of the audience for bass fishing, its demographics, more and more people are becoming interested in it when compared to such sports as golf and tennis.

Cooking Caught Fish

Preparing Freshly Caught Fish

Whether it’s saltwater or freshwater, freshly caught fish has a delicious, delicate flavor which needs careful preparation in order to preserve the full flavor of the fish. With all the care you took to catch it, you don’t want to spoil it now in the cooking do you? But it’s not difficult; there are a few guidelines to follow that will give you beautifully cooked and tasty fish.

The secret to a great tasting fish actually starts much earlier than people usually think, so you need to plan ahead right at the catch if you want your fish to taste as well as it could do. The first thing to do is land your fish carefully. Try to prevent the fish’s flesh from becoming bruised by hard contact with rocks. As soon as you have landed your fish, you should watch it right away. Use a hose or rinse the fish in a bucket of water. This will remove all the slime that naturally collects on the skin of the fish as well as any bacteria that there may be there. You should always remember to use potable water, to avoid contamination.

Within an hour of catching the fish, at least – but sooner if you can – you should chill your fish. This will avoid any deterioration in the flesh. Again, this is why you need to plan ahead for taking your fish home to eat. It’s pretty easy to get your freshly caught fish in ice and it doesn’t entail having a lot of expensive equipment. All you need is a small cooler. It should be deep enough to cover a pound of fish with a pound of ice.

Fish should be cleaned as soon as possible, to avoid the initially sterile flesh from being contaminated by the scales, which are not sterile. As with landing your fish, be gentle with it when you are cleaning and gutting the fish. Wounding the fish can spread bacteria there.

People worry unnecessarily about gutting their fish. You can make pretty quick work of it; just cut the belly and pull out the blood and guts from inside. They easily come away. After that, do not soak the fish in water as this will wash much of the flavor away and also spoil the texture.

If you clean your fish properly and store it as you should, you can actually maintain the flavor, texture and nutritional value for as long as five days.

In terms of cooking your fish, there is one simple rule that you must follow regardless of the type of fish or the method of cooking – you need to cook your fish for ten minutes for every inch of fish; make that fifteen minutes per inch if your fish is to be cooked in foil or baked in sauce, which slows down the cooking.

If you are cooking frozen fish you should make the cooking time twenty minutes per inch of fish. If you’re going to thaw frozen fish before cooking, do so slowly: slowly thaw in the fridge for twenty-four hours is a good idea or if you haven’t got time for that, run the wrapped fish under cold water; definitely don’t use room temperature water. However, be aware that you run the risk of making your fish mushy if you thaw it before cooking.

Three Routes to Perfectly Cooked Fish

There are so many ways to cook fresh fish. You can have it fairly plain or with an elaborate sauce, but all the fish recipes in the world basically rely upon three cooking methods: either frying, grilling and baking. Any age old recipes for cooking up a day’s catch are all variations on a theme of frying, grilling or baking so you need to know how to do those well in order make the most of your precious catch of fish.

Frying

The old favorite of frying your freshly caught fish after breading it is still one of the best ways to eat freshly caught fish. It’s simple enough even to do over a campfire right at the water’s edge. Imagine it now – the glorious aroma of melting butter; see the proud fisherman flipping his priceless catch. Anyone who has been fishing for a while will have cooked fish like this, probably more than once, but if you’re new to it, just be careful not to burn your butter but you must get it hot. Also, get the fish well coated in batter. The batter needs to be well seasoned to compliment the fish, but simple salt and pepper is fine. Fish cooked this way can be a real bush feast! If you’re feeling more adventurous and you have them to hand, put a bit of extra zing in your batter with a few herbs and/or spices.

Grilling

Many amateurs begin with grilling their fish because it looks the simplest way of cooking up your catch, but to treat fish the same way as you would grill your average steak would be a mistake. If you grill your fish, most of the delicious juices – and, therefore, the taste of the fish – will drip away through the grill.

You can avoid this, though, if you coat your fish in oil to seal in the juices. Turn your fish too, as soon as you cut into the fish and can see that it is cooked half-way through. Once it is flipped, keep an eye on the fish. Remove it from the grill immediately it is done cooking.

Instead of basting your fish in oil like that, there is a healthier, lower calorie option; wrap your fish up in aluminum foil. This will retain the moisture of the fish. You can greatly enhance the flavor of your fish very simply by inserting a few herbs inside the cavity created by gutting the fish, before encasing the fish in the aluminum foil. Then you place it on the grill as before, again being careful not to over-cook the fish.

Baking

If you’re really looking for an easy option, which means you can leave the fish to its own devices and not stand over it a little bit, then baking is the best cooking option for you. Just prepare a nice marinade, pre-heat the oven, pop in the fish, cooking it as per the instructions above to make sure you cook the fish right through but do not over-cook it. Check the fish periodically to see how it’s cooking

The right recipe and careful cooking will definitely enhance the flavor of whatever fish you catch. You took the time when you caught it so now you should take time and care over cooking it and it will reward you with great flavor and texture.

Places to go Fishing

Alaskan Fishing Lodges in King Salmon’s Realm

Alaskan fishing lodges are some of the most highly prized – but reasonably priced – fishing vacation spots in the United States because they allow you to stay right in the heart if the king salmon’s main territory. But salmon aren’t the be all and end all of fishing in Alaska. No sir (or Ma’am, of course!); it may be a little tricky to get to Alaska, but it’s so worth it. Trout, northern pike, and grayling are also in plentiful supply. Make it a trip of a lifetime and spend a few days in one of Alaska’s many fishing lodges which are to be found in all the best fishing locations. Whether you want somewhere in one of the main tourist areas or somewhere right away from any distractions from your fishing, you’ll find whatever you are looking for in an Alaskan fishing lodge.

And there isn’t only fishing to be enjoyed. Many Alaskan fishing lodges offer a variety of outdoor entertainments. But you need to be aware that at the peak times of year, the lodges will be booked up months beforehand so you need to plan ahead. The best time of year to go to Alaska for fishing depends upon what type of fish that you want to catch as each of them has a particular season. For instance, if it is king salmon you are after, June and July offer you the best chance of bagging one of these beauties. It’s best to take full advantage of the Internet, find the lodge you’re interested in, then contact the expert guides there to discuss what you would like to catch and what would be the best time of year to take your Alaskan fishing lodge vacation.

You should always look for Alaskan fishing lodges that have guides included in their vacation packages, especially if you are a novice at Alaskan fishing. After all, there is no point going all that way if you fail to catch the fish you want, is there? You will find also that many of the vacation deals include the hiring of all the fishing gear you need. Rods, line, tackle, and bait come in many of the all-inclusive packages that are to be had in this area.

Expert guides will be able to show you the best fishing areas in the region. You may want to leave behind the busier Alaskan fishing spots for at least part of your vacation, and the fishing lodges in the area make that so much easier, with pre-arranged excursions which you can often get at discount prices compared to booking yourself because your lodge company has been able to buy in bulk. With these you can try remote ice fishing or set out to sea for a day’s exhilarating sports fishing; alternatively, why not head up to a remote stream or lake of crystal clear waters where the trout are beyond compare? Alaska makes all this possible.

But what about the lodge itself? Ordinarily made of logs, Alaskan fishing lodges are usually spacious and comfortable – and ideal base from which to enjoy your fishing vacation. They are well known for being priced low so almost anyone can afford them, and you can take your friends too, which many of the lodges being built to take up to sixteen people – now that really is a party!

The Bahamas – Where the Fishing is Hot, Hot, Hot!

The Bahamas, you may be aware, is a collection of over seven hundred islands between the Atlantic and the Caribbean. You can expect hot weather in the Bahamas, but you may not be aware that you can expect pretty hot fishing too! This is the place where many of the world’s biggest recorded fish have been caught – real record-breakers!

The Bahamas’ waters are literally alive with fish. Tons of them. But it is said that if it is true sports fishing you’re after, then you should look to the northern islands of the Bahamas. That’s where the really great deep sea fishing is. In the Northern Bahamas, you’ll find not only enormous tuna and white and blue marlin but also great beasts of tarpon and amberjack. These are some of the biggest and best sports fish you could ever find anywhere in the world. With the clear blue waters of the area, you can practically pick out your fish – just don’t expect them to cooperate. It’s not called ‘sports fishing’ for nothing!

Here in the Bahamas, you’ll find the fastest sports fish in the world – the Wahoo. From April to September, the waters surrounding the Bahamas are the place to find the world’s richest proliferation of Wahoo as they swim their way to the Gulf. Actually, you might not ‘find’ it as such as it is a pretty elusive character, but the Bahamas is its natural habitat. And if your Bahamas fishing vacation feels incomplete without catching one of these guys – well, that may be all the more reason to return next year.

The Wahoo are fast and aggressive and can easily reach weights of between twenty and forty pounds. Wahoo of even twice that size is not unheard of. They are hungry predators with teeth lines jaws capable of snapping a twenty-pound tuna in two, so you can tell you could be in for a great time pulling that one in.

You’re talking two hundred pounds wind-on leaders here, with a looped connection. Trolling leads with at least twelve inches of strong, heavy cable are necessary. Bahamas fishing baits need to be dark-colored to contrast with the white wake of the boat. To land the sports fish of the Bahamas, take care. Leather gloves and long-handled gaffs are a necessity.

You need good gear fishing the Bahamas or the Wahoo will have it for breakfast – literally! What about a shark or two? There are plenty to be had in the Bahamas. And you can’t think of Bahamas fishing without thinking of bone fishing. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, bone fishing will offer you some of the most exciting sports fishing in the world. And for these beauties, you leave your bat behind. They spend their time swimming the shallows and you need to pursue them on foot.

Whatever you manage to catch, one of the great beachside restaurants in the Bahamas will be glad to cook up your own catch for you. Now that’s what I call a perfect end to a perfect day of Bahamas fishing.

Canada Fishing

Canada, with its expansive vistas, beautiful mountains and glorious lakes and rivers is a little slice of heaven on earth. For keen fishermen and –women, Canada is a dream location. Whether you’re looking for rivers, ponds, lakes and streams to fish, Canada has it all. Freshwater fishing is a popular pastime with Canadians and visitors alike. You’ll never be disappointed with the great value Canadian fishing trips, locations, and lodges that are available at prices to suit everyone’s budget.

There are plenty of fish to bag in Canada, and local retail has cottoned on to the huge benefits of the fishing and leisure industry. Wherever you choose to stay in Canada, you’ll never be far away from great fishing shops for all the fishing equipment you could possibly need. Of course, the fish you will catch differ according to these habitats, but what amateur anglers often fail to take account of is that everything about your boat, your fishing gear and your bait has to change according to what fish you aim to catch.

Of course, Canada is most famous for salmon fishing. You’ll find an abundance of salmon in many varieties. Canada’s fishing guides often specialize in salmon and getting you to the prime locations for this fishing.

Fly fishing is also something for which Canada is renowned, where you attempt to catch fish with an artificial lure or “fly”. They do look like flies! Yummy to the fish!

You will find that many fishing businesses in Canada are geared up to tourists and they can offer you some fantastic deals on accommodation, guides, and gear so it is worth shopping around a little to find those deals.

If you’re a keen fisherman or –woman, you simply have to experience Canadian ice fishing at least once in your lifetime. There are many guides who will make sure you have a great ice fishing experience. They will keep you safe; make sure you have all the right clothing and fishing gear which needs to be quite specific to ice fishing. They’ll also teach you some great little techniques to make your Canada ice fishing as successful as possible. If you’re imagining freezing half to death for the thrill if Canadian ice fishing – think again. You can easily rent an ice huts to keep you warm and protect you from the elements.

So whether you choose the ocean, under the ice, streams, rivers or lakes to fish, you are in for a great Canadian fishing trip.

Sports Fishing in South Florida

You need to go no further from home than South Florida to find an exciting, fun-filled fishing trip. Charters are available for a few hours or for a whole day and you can hop onto the boats from several South Florida locations like Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Pompano Beach, to name only a few. All of the charters take you to rich fishing waters where there is really great sports fishing to be had. You can expect to hook yourself plenty of sailfish, kingfish and even a shark or two. You don’t even have to be that lucky to tick all these off your list.

South Florida’s ultimate prize is probably the sailfish. These fish can grow to an enormous size, one of the reasons they are such a highly prized catch. Weights well in excess of a hundred pounds are not uncommon. To have the best chance of catching sailfish, use a kite and trail live bait just below the surface of the ocean. This technique will also attract the attention of other large sports fish like tuna.

South Florida fishing doesn’t necessarily offer the easiest fishing in the world, but your catch will mean all the more for you having had to work for it. What is easy, though, is the access to South Florida fishing. Most of the best fishing at all the famous fishing spots is little more than two miles offshore – and much of it is even closer. That takes all the travel, waiting and fuss out of going on a South Florida fishing trip. Save all your energy for catching all those fantastic sports fish – you’ll need all the energy and muscle power you can muster. Take a strong friend along with you too! Florida sports fishing is not a solo activity, for safety’s sake, but you’ll be glad of another pair of arms when you’ve battled for twenty minutes with a marlin, sailfish, tuna or shark!

Sailfish certainly make a fight of it and you won’t find them easy to land, but they are nothing to compare to the power and tenacity of the sharks that populate the South Florida waters. You can find Threshers, Hammerheads, and Bull sharks in the waters around South Florida and professional guide will get you right where the action is.

If you get so good at South Florida fishing that you fancy your chances in a bit of a competition, then you’ll find plenty to try your hand at hear. You have a great chance of hooking in a prize trophy specimen. You may even want to bring it home to grace your walls rather than eating it, but there is a third, nature-friendly way; have you ever thought of taking photos of your catch to have an artificial mount made? With clear photos and a quick measure of your catch, it is easy to preserve it for posterity in plaster or fiberglass mount so it can be a talking point in your home for years to come, while the fish itself lives to fight another day and provide another angler with a great day’s fishing.

Texas Fishing Tips

When it comes to fishing in Texas, you will normally find yourself going for flounder, trout or sheepshead. But before you even set out on your fishing trip, you must make sure that you have complied will all the state’s local fishing laws; this entail, I’m afraid, getting two licenses. You will need a fishing license as you might expect, but you will also need a Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department or the FWP as it is often more commonly called. They will want a few details from you to verify your identity so make sure you take your valid driver’s license or other current ID which carries a photo of you. That will enable you to get an annual fishing license and start your Texas fishing adventure.

To make sure that you make the most of your fishing in Texas, you should do a little homework first. Get yourself a good boat or book a place of a charter with an expert guide; if you’re a complete amateur, then it may well be a good idea to get yourself a guide; you will benefit so much more than from them taking you right to the best waters for Texas fishing; you will also receive expert tuition on bait, gear and fishing techniques.

If you don’t want to hitch a boat ride with a guide, you could always ask the friendly Texas locals where the best fishing is to be had in the area. If all else fails in the navigation department, follow the seagulls; they know where their food is and the chances are that where you find a flock of seagulls you’ll find a school of fish. Deep water is usually good fishing ground as the water is darker and so the fish can’t see the hook – sneaky, huh?

Don’t let yourself get too over-excited at the first sight of the fish, though, or you’ll look it by it slipping your hook or snapping the line, especially if it’s a big one at which people are apt to get more excited; take it steady and slowly and you won’t scare the fish off. Set your bait and wait your time; fishing is great for communing with nature for a while.

You should also make sure that you have the best rod and reels for the waters you are fishing and the fish you are aiming to land. What bait to use is also an important consideration. Once you decide on what bait you’re going to use, you will have a better idea of the right hooks to use too. Try different types of bait and experiment a bit as different types of fish like different bait and some are pickier than others.

Whatever region of Texas you choose to do your fishing in, you’re sure to be in for a great experience. The Panhandle Plains are teeming with Black Bass; in the Prairies and Lakes you’re more likely to find White Bass but also a whole host of other varieties just great for taking home for dinner! The Bass are great in the Piney Woods region too. For trout, head to the Gulf Coast. Those are just some of the delights of a Texas fishing vacation.

Conclusion

Most of all, remember to have fun! Sure – read the rest of the articles on our website and pick up some useful tips so that you are successful in your fishing and don’t get frustrated. But the most important part of fishing – like any hobby – is to have fun!

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